Supporting and guiding device for holding movable, hanging door or wall elements

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a supporting and guiding device for holding movable, hanging door or wall elements that are mounted in runner rails ( 1 ) which are shaped as hollow boxes and are provided with a continuous recess on the bottom thereof. Said runner rails ( 1 ) are fixed to the ceiling of a building via a hanging construction ( 14, 21 ). In order to exclude impairments as far as possible in connection with mounting such a supporting and guiding device, an intermediate profile ( 2 ) is arranged between the runner rail ( 1 ) and the hanging construction ( 14,21 ).

[0001] The invention pertains to a support and guide device for holding movable hanging door or wall elements, which are held movably in stationary roller rails, where the roller rails are attached directly or by suspension systems to the ceiling of a building.

[0002] A support and guide device of this type is known from DE 40 41 925 C1. In this support and guide device, a roller rail, which holds the door or wall element in such a way that it can travel on rollers, is attached to the ceiling of a building by way of a substructure. So that the roller rail can be attached to the substructure, holes must be drilled into the rail and the substructure at the construction site. The chips that are thus produced can fall into the rail and remain there. This can impair the rolling behavior of the door element and often causes damage to the rollers or even causes them to fail, which leads to complaints.

[0003] It is therefore the task of the invention to provide a support and guide device of the type indicated in the introductory clause of claim 1 which excludes the possibility of any interference with functionality which could result from the installation process.

[0004] This task is accomplished by means of the features of claim 1. Advantageous elaborations can be derived from the subclaims.

[0005] The solution according to the invention offers the advantage that an intermediate profile (with screw channels) can be provided with all the necessary holes or subjected to any other necessary processing steps first, either on site or during production, after which it can then be attached to the suspension systems on the ceiling before the roller rail is attached to the intermediate profile. This excludes the possibility that drilling chips or other chips can fall into the rail and interfere with the movement of the door or wall elements. Even if it were necessary to drill holes through the roller rail so that it could be attached to the intermediate profile, this would still not be disadvantageous, because these drilling chips would be able to fall out of the rail, which is open at the bottom. But even this possibility is avoided, because the roller rail has already been provided with a row of holes during its production.

[0006] Thus the support and guide device according to the invention can ensure a high degree of functionality.

[0007] According to an advantageous elaboration, the intermediate profile is designed as a double-T support, which is connected by way of its lower flange to the closed side of, for example, a hollow box-like roller rail. Because of its high moment of inertia, a double-T support ensures good dimensional stability. Especially advantageous use can be made of this dimensional stability by attaching the roller rail to the lower flange of the support.

[0008] So that the roller rail can be attached easily to the double-T support, the double-T support has, according to a preferred elaboration, a lower screw channel, which serves to establish the connection with the rail. This channel is located essentially in the center part of the lower flange and extends longitudinally down the length of the double-T support. It is therefore very easy to attach the rail.

[0009] To provide the double-T support with additional attachment options, so that it can be attached to, for example, a suspended ceiling, it is provided according to the invention that the lower flange is equipped on at least one side edge with a lateral screw channel extending longitudinally down the length of the double-T support.

[0010] This design can be advantageously supplemented by the measure of providing a lateral screw channel extending longitudinally down both side edges of the lower flange, which has the effect of creating attachment options on both sides of the double-T support.

[0011] According to an advantageous elaboration, a holding device, designed preferably as an angle, can be inserted, especially screwed, into the lateral screw channel. An angle of this type can serve, for example, as a support surface for a plasterboard panel, which can form the suspended ceiling.

[0012] To save weight, the web of the double-T support can, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, be provided with a central channel. This central channel, however, can also serve to accept objects such as electrical lines, etc. In addition, it would also be possible to place or to insert an additional stiffening element in this central channel.

[0013] According to an advantageous elaboration, the upper flange has an upper screw channel, which is located essentially in the middle of the upper flange and which extends longitudinally down the length of the double-T support. This screw channel improves the attachment options of the intermediate profile, so that, for example, the suspension system can be attached to it easily, quickly, and securely.

[0014] For reasons of symmetry, it is preferable for the lower screw channel and the upper screw channel to be aligned with each other and for them to be arranged in the central area of the double-T support.

[0015] According to a preferred elaboration, at least one centering groove is provided in the upper flange, parallel to the upper screw channel. This centering groove greatly facilitates and improves the processing of the double-T support, because fixed reference lines are therefore already provided.

[0016] Processing can be facilitated and improved even more when, in accordance with another advantageous elaboration, two centering grooves are provided, which are parallel to each other and which are preferably equidistant laterally from the upper screw channel.

[0017] So that a fixed reference line is also available with respect to the web of the double-T support, the web has at least one additional centering groove.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, U-shaped slots are provided on at least one side of the upper flange, the longitudinal dimension of these slots being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the double-T support. These slots make it especially easy to connect the intermediate profile to the suspension systems, because the suspension systems can be easily engaged in the slots.

[0019] So that the rails can be suspended from the suspension systems in a grid-like manner, it is provided according to the invention that the U-shaped slots are distributed uniformly over the length of the double-T support.

[0020] The intermediate profile can be supported in an especially secure manner when, according to another advantageous elaboration, U-shaped slots are provided on both sides of the upper flange, and the U-shaped slots on the one side of the flange are offset from those on the other side.

[0021] So that all the attachments can be completed easily, quickly, and without a great deal of effort, is it provided in accordance with an advantageous elaboration that the screw channels already have profile-drawn screw thread undercuts, into which threaded screws can be screwed without any extra work. Thus screws can be screwed directly on-site into the screw channels without the need for any additional processing such as the drilling of holes.

[0022] According to an advantageous elaboration, the suspension systems consist of threaded rods and/or lateral bracing. Threaded rods are readily available stock items; they can be easily and quickly cut to any length and are especially suitable because of the ease with which they can engage in the U-shaped slots. Lateral bracing increases the stability of the overall construction and helps to suppress vibrations.

[0023] For installation, the threaded rods are engaged in the U-shaped slots, which means that the intermediate profile can be attached easily to the ceiling.

[0024] So that the threaded rods cannot slip unintentionally out of the slots, each rod is, in accordance with an advantageous elaboration, secured in its position on the double-T support by a locking plate.

[0025] According to one alternative, the locking plate can be screwed to the central screw channel of the upper flange. This is especially advantageous when a nonpositive connection is desired between the intermediate profile and the threaded rod.

[0026] According to another alternative embodiment, the locking plate can have a bent part, which engages in the upper screw channel. This is especially advantageous when a positive connection between the intermediate profile and the threaded rod is desired.

[0027] The locking plate can also be used advantageously to support the lateral bracing. For this purpose, the locking plate is provided according to the invention with a tab on the side opposite the threaded rod, which tab supports the lateral bracing in a hinge-like manner. Thus the lateral bracing can be oriented at any desired angle to the intermediate profile.

[0028] So that the components can be adapted and oriented accurately to suit the local conditions, the suspension and lateral bracing are designed to be variable in length, specifically to be variable in a telescoping manner.

[0029] It is advantageous for the lateral bracing to consist of at least two tubular or square profiles that telescope into each other. These standard profiles are easy to acquire and can be adapted easily to span any desired distance.

[0030] The shape of the roller rail is arbitrary. The intermediate profile can be adapted to the geometry of the rail.

[0031] Additional features and advantages of the invention can be derived from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment:

[0032]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the support and guide device according to the invention;

[0033]FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the support and guide device according to the invention;

[0034]FIG. 3 shows a view of the support and guide device according to the invention from above; and

[0035]FIG. 4 shows an end view of the support and guide device according to the invention.

[0036]FIGS. 1-4 show and explain a preferred exemplary embodiment of the support and guide device according to the invention.

[0037] For the sake of clarity, the door or wall elements guided movably on the support and guide device have been omitted.

[0038] The support and guide device according to the invention has, for example, a roller rail 1, designed essentially as a U-shaped profile in the form of a hollow box, which is open at the bottom. Guide rollers or the like (not shown), which are supported so that they can move back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the rail 1, are provided in the roller rail 1. One or more door or wall elements (not shown) are held by support rollers on these guide rollers.

[0039] The roller rail 1 can be made of any suitable material such as aluminum, light metal, etc., and can be produced in the form of an extruded section, for example. During the production of the roller rail 1, all of the necessary ribs, webs, grooves, etc., can be formed directly on it. In addition, a row of holes can also be provided in the surface opposite the open side. These holes allow the roller rail 1 to be attached to the suspension system, as will be explained in detail further below. This row of holes preferably extends longitudinally down the center of the roller rail 1

[0040] The roller rail 1 is attached to an intermediate profile 2. The intermediate profile 2 is designed as a double-T support, which can also be produced as an extruded section. The double-T support has an upper flange 3, a central web 4, and a lower flange 5. Essentially the entire surface of the lower flange 5 rests on the side of the rail 1 opposite the open side. So that it can be attached to the roller rail 1, the intermediate profile 2 is provided with a lower screw channel 6, which is adjacent to the web 4 and extends longitudinally down the center of the double-T support. The lateral surfaces of the screw channel 6 are provided with grooves, so that a fixing screw 7, e.g., a hex-head screw, can be screwed directly into the screw channel 6 without any preparatory work. Thus the roller rail can be screwed quickly and easily to the lower screw channel via the fixing screws 7. This means of attachment also makes it possible to replace the rail 1 without the need to change the substructure.

[0041] The web 4 of the double-T Support is preferably provided with a rectangular central channel 8, extending longitudinally down the length of the intermediate profile 2. This central channel 8 can serve merely to save weight, but it can also be used to hold cables, electrical lines, etc. In addition, it can also be used to accept an additional stiffening element (not shown), which can be pushed into the central channel 8. This is advisable in cases where it is difficult to slide the wall elements along the rail.

[0042] On each of the two side edges of the lower flange 5, a lateral screw channel 9 is provided, which, like the lower screw channel 6, has grooved lateral surfaces and extends longitudinally down the length of the double-T support. Any desired type of retaining or support elements can be fastened in these lateral screw channels 9. As shown in FIG. 4, appropriate screws 10, for example, can be used to attach an L-shaped angle 11 as a support surface for a plasterboard panel (not shown), which forms part of a suspended ceiling. It would also be possible, however, to omit the angle 11 and to push the plasterboard panel directly into the lateral screw channel 9. In this case, the threads in the lateral screw channel 9 would be nonfunctional.

[0043] The upper flange 3 of the double-T support is also provided with a screw channel 12. This upper screw channel 12 parallels the lower screw channel 6 and is thus also adjacent to the web 4 and extends longitudinally down the length of the intermediate profile 2. The upper flange 3 is also provided with U-shaped slots 13, which are introduced from the side into the upper flange 3; the longitudinal dimension of these slots is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the intermediate profile 2. The U-shaped slots 13 are spaced at equal distances apart along the two longitudinal edges of the upper flange 3 in such a way that the slots 13 on one side are staggered with respect to those on the other. It would also be possible in principle for the slots 13 to be situated directly opposite one another.

[0044] The slots 13 accept, for example, threaded rods 14, by means of which the intermediate profile 2 and thus the roller rail 1 can be suspended from the ceiling of a building (not shown). For this purpose, a threaded rod 14, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, is pushed from the side into one of the U-shaped slots 13 in the upper flange 3. One or more nuts 15, which are screwed onto the end of the threaded rod 14, serve to supports the threaded rod on, or to attach it to, the intermediate profile 2. So that the threaded rod 14 cannot slip laterally out of the slot 13, a locking plate 16 is provided. This locking plate 16 is provided with a hole, through which the threaded rod 14 can pass. At the end of the locking plate 16 facing away from the hole, a bent edge 17 is provided in accordance with one of the embodiments, so that the locking plate 16, when seen from the side, describes an L-shaped form, the shorter sidepiece forming the bent edge 17. The bent edge 17 of the locking plate 16 fits into the upper screw channel 12 (compare FIG. 1), so that the threaded rod 14 is securely held in the slot 13.

[0045] According to another embodiment, also shown in FIG. 1, the locking plate 16 can also be provided with a threaded hole 18 (compare FIG. 2), so that the locking plate 16 can be secured in position in the upper screw channel 12 by a retaining screw 19.

[0046] So that the intermediate profile 2 and therefore the roller rail 1 as well can be supported securely not only in the vertical direction (by the threaded rods 14) but also in the lateral direction, the locking plate 16 can be extended beyond the threaded hole 18 and provided with a tab 20 at this extended end. A lateral brace 21 is attached to this tab 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the lateral brace 21 consists of two rectangular profiles 22, which slide into each other in a telescoping manner, but it could also consist of corresponding tubes or the like. Instead of a telescoping design, other designs are also possible as long as they allow the overall length of the brace to be adjusted.

[0047] The two telescoping rectangular profiles 22 can be fixed in position by clamping screws 23. In addition, the rectangular profiles 22 are also attached to the ceiling (not shown) by any desired type of construction. This construction can consist, for example, of two angles 24, hinged to the rectangular profiles 22, which angles are then screwed by fixing screws 25 to the ceiling.

[0048] Because the lengths of the threaded rods 14 and of the lateral bracing 21 can be adapted to any possible set of circumstances in the building, it is ensured that, no matter what the conditions, it will always be possible to attach the inventive support and guide device securely in position.

[0049] One or more centering grooves 26 are provided on the top of the upper flange 3 and on the lateral surfaces of the web 4. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, two centering grooves 26 are provided in the upper flange, which are parallel to each other and also parallel to and equidistant from the upper screw channel 12, i.e., one on the right, the other on the left of the channel. Two centering grooves 26, which are parallel to each other, are also located on the web 4, one on each side.

[0050] The preceding description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention serves only to illustrate the invention, not to limit it in any way. Within the scope of the invention, various changes and modifications are possible without abandoning the scope of the invention or its equivalents.

List of Reference Numbers

[0051]1 roller rail

[0052]2 intermediate profile

[0053]3 upper flange

[0054]4 web

[0055]5 lower flange

[0056]6 lower screw channel

[0057]7 fixing screw

[0058]8 central channel

[0059]9 lateral screw channel

[0060]10 screws

[0061]11 L-shaped angle

[0062]12 upper screw channel

[0063]13 U-shaped slot

[0064]14 threaded rod

[0065]15 nut

[0066]16 locking plate

[0067]17 bent edge

[0068]18 threaded hole

[0069]19 retaining screw

[0070]20 tab

[0071]21 lateral bracing

[0072]22 rectangular profiles

[0073]23 clamping screw

[0074]24 angle

[0075]25 fixing screw

[0076]26 centering groove 

1-25. (cancelled).
 26. A support and guide device for a suspended element having rollers, the device comprising: a roller rail from which an element having rollers can be suspended for guided movement on said rail; a suspension system for suspending said roller rail from a ceiling; and an intermediate profile between the suspension system and the roller rail.
 27. A support and guide device as in claim 26 wherein said intermediate profile is a double T-support having an upper flange, a lower flange, and a web between said flanges, said roller rail being connected to said lower flange.
 28. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said intermediate profile has a screw channel located centrally and extending longitudinally.
 29. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said lower flange has a pair of side edges, one of said side edges having a longitudinally extending lateral screw channel.
 30. A support and guide device as in claim 29 wherein both of said side edges have longitudinally extending lateral screw channels.
 31. A Support and guide device as in claim 29 further comprising a retaining device which can be fixed to said intermediate profile by screwing to said lateral screw channel.
 32. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said web comprises a central channel.
 33. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said upper flange has an upper screw channel located centrally and extending longitudinally.
 34. A support and guide device as in claim 33 wherein said upper flange has at least one centering groove extending parallel to said upper screw channel.
 35. A support and guide device as in claim 34 wherein said upper flange has a pair of centering grooves extending parallel to said upper screw channel, on either side of and equidistant from said upper screw channel.
 36. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said web has at least one centering groove.
 37. A support and guide device as in claim 27 wherein said upper flange has a pair of side edges, at least one of said edges being provided with at least one U-shaped slot.
 38. A support and guide device as in claim 37 wherein U-shaped slots are distributed uniformly along the length of said at least one edge.
 39. A support and guide device as in claim 38 wherein said U-shaped slots are distributed uniformly along each of said edges, the U-shaped slots on one edge being offset from the U-shaped slots on the other edge.
 40. A support and guide device as in claim 26 wherein said intermediate profile is provided with longitudinally extending screw channels, each said screw channel having screw-thread undercuts into which threaded screws and be screwed.
 41. A support and guide device as in claim 26 wherein said suspension system comprises at least one of threaded rods and lateral bracing.
 42. A support and guide device as in claim 41 further comprising a locking plate for holding a threaded rod in position on the intermediate profile.
 43. A support and guide device as in claim 33 further comprising a locking plate which is retained against said upper flange by a screw received in said upper screw channel.
 44. A support and guide device as in claim 33 further comprising a locking plate having a bent edge which is received in said upper screw channel.
 45. A support and guide device as in claim 42 wherein said locking plate comprises at least one tab located opposite from said threaded rod for hinged support of lateral bracing.
 46. A support and guide device as in claim 45 wherein said lateral bracing comprises a pair of telescoping members.
 47. A support and guide device as in claim 46 wherein said telescoping members comprise rectangular tubes. 